Method for attaching a component to an internal portion of an aircraft fuselage

Abstract

A method for attaching a component to an internal portion of an aircraft fuselage is disclosed herein. The method includes mounting a vibration isolator assembly to the internal portion of the aircraft fuselage. The vibration isolator assembly has a protruding engagement portion having a flange. The method further includes defining an opening in a vibration-deadening body. The method further includes positioning the vibration-deadening body over the vibration isolator such that the protruding engagement portion is received within the opening. The method further includes pressing a retaining member onto the protruding engagement portion such that the retaining member engages the flange. The retaining member will retain a portion of the vibration-deadening body below an end of the protruding engagement portion. The method still further includes attaching the component to the protruding engagement portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for attaching a component to an internal portion of an aircraft fuselage, the method comprising:
 mounting a vibration isolator assembly to the internal portion of the aircraft fuselage, the vibration isolator assembly having a protruding engagement portion having a flange; 
 attaching an alignment spike to the protruding engagement portion; 
 pressing a vibration-deadening body against the alignment spike; 
 detecting a location on a nearside of the vibration-deadening body that corresponds with a position of the alignment spike; 
 marking the location with a visible mark; 
 defining an opening in the vibration-deadening body by beginning to define the opening with a cutting implement on the nearside of the vibration-deadening body proximate the visible mark and continuing to define the opening until the opening extends through a far side of the vibration-deadening body and until the cutting implement contacts a rear flange of the alignment spike; 
 aligning the opening with an end of the protruding engagement portion; 
 positioning the vibration-deadening body over the vibration isolator assembly after the opening has been defined and aligned with the end of the protruding engagement portion such that the protruding engagement portion is received within the opening; 
 removing the alignment spike; 
 pressing a retaining member onto the protruding engagement portion such that the retaining member engages the flange, wherein the retaining member is configured to retain a portion of the vibration-deadening body below an end of the protruding engagement portion; and 
 attaching the component to the protruding engagement portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the protruding engagement portion comprises an internal threaded engagement surface, and 
 wherein the step of attaching the alignment spike to the protruding engagement portion comprises screwing the alignment spike into the protruding engagement portion. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting a location on the vibration-deadening body that corresponds with a position of the alignment spike while pressing the vibration-deadening body against the alignment spike, and
 wherein the defining comprises defining the opening at the location. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the detecting comprises feeling for the alignment spike through the vibration-deadening body from a nearside of the vibration-deadening body. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising marking the location on the vibration-deadening body. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the defining comprises drilling a hole through the vibration-deadening body. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the defining further comprises drilling the hole using a tubular drill bit. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the defining further comprises drilling the hole using a tubular drill bit having a diameter that is substantially equal to a dimension of a periphery of the protruding engagement portion. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the defining further comprises drilling the hole using a tubular drill bit having a diameter that is less than a dimension of a periphery of the protruding engagement portion. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the defining further comprises positioning the tubular drill bit at the location and drilling the hole such that the alignment spike is received within the tubular drill bit while drilling the hole with the tubular drill. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the defining further comprises pushing the tubular drill bit through the vibration-deadening body and onto the alignment spike until contact between the tubular drill bit and a rear flange of the alignment spike.